Making Cents: Cents will never add up to happiness

Saturday

Nov 29, 2008 at 12:01 AMNov 29, 2008 at 8:03 AM

Each week we bring you words of wisdom to help make your financial condition and life just a little bit better. Sometimes, that advice can require some time and resources to implement. This week, I am going to give advice that everyone can implement immediately.

John P. Napolitano

Each week we bring you words of wisdom to help make your financial condition and life just a little bit better. Sometimes, that advice can require some time and resources to implement. This week, I am going to give advice that everyone can implement immediately.

That advice is to focus on the positive in your life, both financial and personal - even though it may indeed be difficult to stay positive during these most trying of times.

You already know that watching the various financial channels on TV are not helping you at feeling better. So I would suggest that you eliminate them from your daily repertoire. These guys need to make fresh news 24 hours a day. Their job is secured by making news out of every little hiccup in the financial markets.

You may not be rich, and you may find yourself miserable over various financial distractions. Your task, should you choose to feel good, is to start thinking positive, so that you can be happier and reach the financial success that you desire.

True success cannot come without happiness. If you think that money is the root cause of happiness, just look at all the miserable rich people that you know.

Whether you are rich or not, one of the best ways to snap out of that head-hanging funk is to refocus on what is most meaningful to you. A positive focus on what is working well for you, and gratitude for some of your everyday pleasures will create momentum. Start by making a list of all the things that went well this Thanksgiving weekend.

Now have the courage to ask yourself what is most important to you. In other words, if all went to hell in a hand basket, what would make you feel energized about each day? Would it be time with the grandchildren, more time with your spouse, creating art, working with local food pantries, a different job? Think about what your ideal day, week and month look like, and make the time to include as many of your core values as possible in your daily activities.

If you are married, or have a significant other in your life, find out the answers to these questions for them. Give them the space to answer the questions privately.

By now, you may be asking yourself what all of this has to do with making cents? My feeling is that without feeling good and loving your life, all the cents in the world will never add up to happiness.

John P. Napolitano is the CEO of U.S. Wealth Management in Braintree, Mass. He may be reached at jnap@uswealthcompanies.com.